Flue for cooking appliance

ABSTRACT

A domestic cooking appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cooking compartment; a heating element that heats the cooking compartment; an exhaust opening in the cooking compartment, the exhaust opening being configured to allow exhaust gases to exit the cooking compartment; and an exhaust duct having a main body, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is fluidly connected to the exhaust opening, the outlet opening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening has an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created. The outlet opening is fluidly connected to an environment, and the exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to the environment.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exhaust ducts. Particularembodiments of the invention relate to exhaust ducts for domesticcooking appliances where the exhaust duct has a fluing effect.

BACKGROUND

There are many cooking appliances, such as slide in ranges and freestanding ranges, in homes today. Many of these cooking appliancesgenerate heat to cook food items and, as a result, generate exhaustgases that must be vented from a cooking compartment in the cookingappliance. Some cooking appliances rely on convection alone to channelexhaust gases from the cooking compartment. However, in some casesconvection alone does not remove exhaust gases at a desired rate.

Accordingly, an improved system is desired for effectively removingexhaust gases from the cooking compartment of a domestic cookingappliance.

SUMMARY

A domestic cooking appliance in accordance with embodiments of theinvention includes an exhaust duct that, due to its shape, creates afluing effect that generates a negative pressure in the duct thatpromotes removal of the exhaust gases from the cooking compartment.

In one aspect, a domestic cooking appliance includes a cookingcompartment for housing a food item to be cooked by the domestic cookingappliance; a heating element that heats the cooking compartment; anexhaust opening in the cooking compartment, the exhaust opening beingconfigured to allow exhaust gases to exit the cooking compartment; andan exhaust duct having a main body, an inlet opening, and an outletopening. The inlet opening is fluidly connected to the exhaust opening,the outlet opening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inletopening has an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outletopening cross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet openingcross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created. The outletopening of the exhaust duct is fluidly connected to an environmentoutside of the domestic cooking appliance, and the exhaust gases followan exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartmentto the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to theoutlet opening to the environment.

In some embodiments, the main body has a central section positionedbetween the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the centralsection has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.

In some embodiments, the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.

In some embodiments, the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothlytransitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outletopening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust ductfrom the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around theexhaust duct.

In some embodiments, the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleevethat completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section ofthe exhaust duct.

Some embodiments inluce an exhaust plenum attached to the outlet openingof the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidly connected tothe environment at a location remote from the outlet opening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around theexhaust duct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleevethat completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section ofthe exhaust duct.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothlytransitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outletopening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust ductfrom the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

In one aspect, an exhaust duct channels exhaust gasses from an exhaustopening in a cooking compartment of a domestic cooking appliance. Theexhaust duct includes a main body; an inlet opening at one end of themain body, the inlet opening being adjacent to, and fluidly connectedto, the exhaust opening; and an outlet opening at an end of the mainbody opposite to the inlet opening. The outlet opening has an outletopening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening has an inlet openingcross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area issmaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluingeffect is created, and the exhaust duct is configured such that theexhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from thecooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening throughthe main body to the outlet opening to the environment

In some embodiments, the main body has a central section positionedbetween the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the centralsection has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.

In some embodiments, the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.

In some embodiments, the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothlytransitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outletopening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust ductfrom the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around theexhaust duct.

In some embodiments, the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleevethat completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section ofthe exhaust duct.

Some embodiments include an exhaust plenum attached to the outletopening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidlyconnected to the environment at a location remote from the outletopening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around theexhaust duct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleevethat completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section ofthe exhaust duct.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothlytransitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outletopening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust ductfrom the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 withparts removed;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a duct in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a duct in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of a duct in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial front view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a duct in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 17 shows an example of an insulation sleeve in accordance withembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 18 shows the insulation sleeve of FIG. 17 installed on the duct ofFIG. 16.

All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts given areference numerical designation in one figure may be considered to bethe same parts where they appear in other figures without a numericaldesignation for brevity unless specifically labeled with a differentpart number and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference todirection or orientation is merely intended for convenience ofdescription and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of thepresent invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,”“horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and“bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing underdiscussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description onlyand do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in aparticular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “connected,”“coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship whereinstructures are secured or attached to one another either directly orindirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable orrigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly describedotherwise. The term “fixed” refers to two structures that cannot beseparated without damaging one of the structures. The term “filled”refers to a state that includes completely filled or partially filled.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

As stated above, there are many cooking appliances, such as slide inranges and free standing ranges, in homes today. Many of these cookingappliances generate heat to cook food items and, as a result, generateexhaust gases that must be vented from a cooking compartment in thecooking appliance. Some cooking appliances rely on convection alone tochannel exhaust gases from the cooking compartment. However, in somecases convection alone does not remove exhaust gases at a desired rate.Accordingly, an improved system is desired for effectively removingexhaust gases from the cooking compartment of a domestic cookingappliance.

Embodiments of the invention use an exhaust duct that is shaped suchthat it creates a fluing effect on the exhaust gases. This fluing effectis caused by a decreasing cross-sectional area in the down streamdirection. The fluing effect is increased by a smooth tapering of theexhaust duct as it transitions from a larger cross-section to a smallercross-section.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a cooking appliance, in this example a slidein range, 100. Appliance 100 has a cooking compartment 110 in which afood item is placed in order to apply heat through a heating element(not shown) to cook the food item. Cooking compartment 110 is accessedby way of a door 120. In this example, door 120 is hinged on the bottomedge so that it pivots forward and downward to provide access to cookingcompartment 110. Other examples have doors that pivot to one side,multiple doors, sliding doors, or some other type of closure to cookingcompartment 110. On the top of appliance 100 is located a cook top 130that has, in this example, multiple gas burners 140. Gas burners 140 canproduce heat for cooking by burning natural gas, propane, or some othergas. Other examples can have electric heating elements, inductionheating elements, some other type of heating element, or a combinationof types of heating elements. A control panel 150 has a number ofcontrol elements for controlling the various functions of cookingappliance 100. A number of control knobs 160 are also provided, in thisexample, for controlling the level of each gas burner 140.

FIG. 2 shows appliance 100 with the cooking grates and catch pansremoved so that more detail can be seen. A surface 170 is shown belowgas burners 140. Surface 170 is located above an upper wall of cookingcompartment 110 (see FIG. 4) and creates a space between the cook topportion containing gas burners 140 and the oven portion containingcooking compartment 110. Two exhaust ducts 200 are shown extendingthrough surface 170.

FIG. 3 shows exhaust ducts 200 extending from cooking compartment 110,through surface 170, and into a plenum 300. In this example, exhaustduct 200 has two parts, lower portion 210 and upper portion 220(described in more detain below).

FIG. 4 is a partial view of domestic appliance 100 showing two exhaustducts 200 extending from cooking compartment 110 to plenum 300. In thisexample, exhaust duct 200 has two parts, lower portion 210 and upperportion 220 (described in more detain below). FIGS. 3 and 4 show justone possible configuration and route of exhaust ducts 200. Otherconfigurations and routes are also within the scope of the invention. Itis also noted that although two exhaust ducts 200 are shown, fewer ormore exhaust ducts 200 can be used. For example, a smaller availablespace could require the use of three or more exhaust ducts 200 toproperly vent cooking compartment 110.

FIG. 5 shows an example of exhaust duct 200 attached to plenum 300. Inthis example, an outlet opening 227 of exhaust duct 200 is open toplenum 300 such that any exhaust gases that flow through exhaust duct200 flow into plenum 300. This figure also shows that this example ofexhaust duct 200 is made of two pieces, lower portion 210 and upperportion 220.

Embodiments of exhaust duct 200 create a fluing effect by using anoutlet opening 227 that is smaller in cross-sectional area than thecross-sectional area of the inlet opening in lower portion 210. This canbe achieved by a decrease in cross-sectional area along a portion of, orall of, exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, the entire decrease incross-sectional area happens in lower portion 210, in other embodimentsthe entire decrease in cross-sectional area happens in upper portion220, and in other embodiments the decrease in cross-sectional areahappens in both lower portion 210 and upper portion 220.

FIG. 6 shows lower portion 210 of exhaust duct 200 as having an inletsection 212 that is, in this example, rectangular in cross-section. Inother embodiments, inlet section 212 is round, oval, triangular,polygonal, or some other shape. In this example, lower portion 210 hasan outlet section 216 that has a cross-sectional area that is less thanthe cross-sectional area of inlet section 212. A central section 214smoothly transitions from inlet section 212 to outlet section 216. Thistransition from a larger cross-sectional area to a smallercross-sectional area creates a fluing effect that helps draw exhaustgases from cooking compartment 110, up through lower portion 210, andout of outlet section 216. Making the transition a smooth transitionincrease the efficiency of the fluing effect by decreasing fluid flowlosses. In one example, inlet section 212 is a rectangle that is 66mm x49 mm and outlet section 216 is an oval shape that is 60mm x 40mm. Othershapes and sizes can be used for inlet section 212 and outlet section216. FIG. 6 shows a hole 211 that is used to fasten lower portion 210 tocooking compartment 110 or some other part of appliance 100. Lowerportion 210 can be fastened to appliance 100 by, for example, a screw,bolt, rivet, or other fastener. A hole 215 is shown that is used tofasten lower portion 210 to upper portion 220. The two portions can befastened together by, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, or otherfastener.

FIG. 7 is a top view of lower portion 210 showing outlet opening 217 inoutlet section 216. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of lower portion 210 showinginlet opening 213 in inlet section 212. In this view inlet opening 213can clearly be seen as having a rectangular cross-section. As can beseen in FIG. 8, the term “rectangular” refers to the general shape ofthe opening and includes rectangles with radiused corners. The smoothtransitioning of central section 214 is also shown in both FIGS. 7 and8. FIG. 9 is a front view of lower portion 210 showing that, in thisexample, inlet section 212 has a slightly larger width than outletsection 216 (this feature can also be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8). Otherexamples can have a different ratio of widths including a ratio in whichinlet section 212 has a smaller width than outlet section 216. FIG. 10is a side view of lower portion 210. This example's smooth transitioningof central section 214 is also shown in both FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 11 shows an example of upper portion 220. In this example, upperportion 220 has in inlet section 222, a central section 224, and anoutlet section 226. Inlet section 222 has an inlet opening 223, andoutlet section 226 has outlet opening 227. In this example, inletsection 222 slides over outlet section 216 of lower portion 210 to forma single duct. Upper portion 220 is fastened to lower portion 210 by afastener that extends through a hole 221 of upper portion 220 and hole215 of lower portion 210. The two portions can be fastened together by,for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, or other fastener. As explainedabove, outlet opening 227 of upper portion 220 is fluidly connected and,in this example, mechanically connected to plenum 300.

FIG. 12 is a top view of upper portion 220 and shows that upper portion220 reduces in width as it transitions from inlet section 222 to outletsection 226. FIG. 13 is a side view of upper portion 220. FIG. 14 is apartial front view of upper portion 220 and FIG. 15 is a partial rearview of upper portion 220. It can be seen in FIGS. 12, 14 and 15 thatinlet section 222 is larger in cross-section than central section 224.In this example, this larger cross-section is to provide a receptaclefor receiving outlet section 216 of lower portion 210, as shown in FIG.16.

In many domestic cooking appliances it is advantageous to reduce theheat transfer from exhaust duct 200 to surrounding parts of theappliance. FIG. 17 shows an insulation sleeve 400 that is sizedappropriately to be slipped over exhaust duct 200 to provide thermalinsulation. FIG. 18 shows insulation sleeve 400 in place around exhaustduct 200. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 is installed onexhaust duct 200 after upper portion 220 is fastened to lower portion210. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 is slid over upperportion 220 first and then pushed or pulled down toward lower portion210. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 covers substantially allof exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 coversonly a portion of exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, the heat keptinside exhaust duct 200 by insulation sleeve 400 increases the fluingaction by reducing a temperature reduction in the exhaust gases inexhaust duct 200 as those gases travel from inlet section 212 of lowerportion 210 to outlet section 226 of upper portion 220.

The tubular shape, in this example, of upper portion 220 and at least apart of lower portion 210 make it easier to install the tubular shapedinsulation sleeve 400. The tubular insulation sleeve 400 shown in thefigures can require less labor to install, and provide better thermalinsulation, than a multi-piece insulation system.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood thatvarious additions, modifications and substitutions may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents ofthe accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in otherforms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with otherelements, materials, and components, without departing from the spiritor essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variationsin the methods/processes described herein may be made within the scopeof the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will furtherappreciate that the embodiments may be used with many modifications ofstructure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and componentsand otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which areparticularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirementswithout departing from the principles described herein. The presentlydisclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should beconstrued broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of thedisclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents. In addition, allcombinations of any and all of the features described in the disclosure,in any combination, are part of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A domestic cooking appliance, comprising: acooking compartment for housing a food item to be cooked by the domesticcooking appliance; a heating element that heats the cooking compartment;an exhaust opening in the cooking compartment, the exhaust opening beingconfigured to allow exhaust gases to exit the cooking compartment; andan exhaust duct having a main body, an inlet opening, and an outletopening, the inlet opening being fluidly connected to the exhaustopening, the outlet opening having an outlet opening cross-sectionalarea, the inlet opening having an inlet opening cross-sectional area,and the outlet opening cross-sectional area being smaller than the inletopening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created,wherein the outlet opening of the exhaust duct is fluidly connected toan environment outside of the domestic cooking appliance, and theexhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from thecooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening throughthe main body to the outlet opening to the environment.
 2. The domesticcooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the main body has a centralsection positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, andthe central section has a cross-sectional shape that is oval orcircular.
 3. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein theinlet opening is rectangular in shape.
 4. The domestic cooking applianceof claim 3, wherein the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape. 5.The domestic cooking appliance of claim 4, wherein a cross-sectionalarea of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet openingcross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along anentire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outletopening.
 6. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 5, furthercomprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct. 7.The domestic cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the insulation sleeveis an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of atleast the central section of the exhaust duct.
 8. The domestic cookingappliance of claim 7, further comprising an exhaust plenum attached tothe outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum isfluidly connected to the environment at a location remote from theoutlet opening.
 9. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 2, furthercomprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct,wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completelysurrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaustduct.
 10. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 9, wherein across-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from theinlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectionalarea along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet openingto the outlet opening.
 11. An exhaust duct for channeling exhaust gassesfrom an exhaust opening in a cooking compartment of a domestic cookingappliance, the exhaust duct comprising: a main body; an inlet opening atone end of the main body, the inlet opening being adjacent to, andfluidly connected to, the exhaust opening; and an outlet opening at anend of the main body opposite to the inlet opening, wherein the outletopening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet openinghas an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet openingcross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectionalarea such that a fluing effect is created, and the exhaust duct isconfigured such that the exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path thatflows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening tothe inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to theenvironment.
 12. The exhaust duct of claim 11, wherein the main body hasa central section positioned between the inlet opening and the outletopening, and the central section has a cross-sectional shape that isoval or circular.
 13. The exhaust duct of claim 12, wherein the inletopening is rectangular in shape.
 14. The exhaust duct of claim 13,wherein the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.
 15. The exhaustduct of claim 14, wherein a cross-sectional area of the exhaust ductsmoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to theoutlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of theexhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
 16. Theexhaust duct of claim 15, further comprising an insulation sleevepositioned around the exhaust duct.
 17. The exhaust duct of claim 16,wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completelysurrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaustduct.
 18. The exhaust duct of claim 17, further comprising an exhaustplenum attached to the outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein theexhaust plenum is fluidly connected to the environment at a locationremote from the outlet opening.
 19. The exhaust duct of claim 12,further comprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaustduct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve thatcompletely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of theexhaust duct.
 20. The exhaust duct of claim 19, wherein across-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from theinlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectionalarea along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet openingto the outlet opening.